Teenager Says There Was No Plan To Set Boy On Fire

Jeremy Jarvis Wishes Hospitalized Former Friend A 'Speedy Recovery'

November 25, 2009|By Rafael A. Olmeda Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE — There was no plot to attack Michael Brewer, his former friend Jeremy Jarvis said Tuesday. There was no organized scheme to surround him, pour rubbing alcohol on him and set him ablaze, Jarvis said.

Jarvis made his first public statement Tuesday morning, reading from a short note in front of his lawyer's Fort Lauderdale office.

"I want to express my deepest sympathy for Mikey and his family," Jarvis said at a news conference. "I will pray for Mikey to grow stronger every day and have a speedy recovery."

Sitting in his lawyer's office before going in front of the cameras, Jarvis described his relationship with Brewer, 15, as a friendship that deepened considerably over the past year, as both were students at Deerfield Beach Middle School.

"He was one of my best friends," Jarvis said.

There was no falling out between them, he said. The friendship continued right up until the moment Jarvis and four others encountered Brewer at an apartment complex where Brewer was visiting a friend.

Jarvis is the youngest of the five teenagers originally accused of taking part in the attack on Brewer.

According to reports, Jarvis was accused only of being among the group that surrounded Brewer. He was not described as an active participant, and no charges were filed against him or another teen at the scene, Steven Shelton, 16.

Three other teenagers are being held without bail on attempted murder charges. Matthew Bent, 15, is accused of directing the attack. Jarvis' brother, Denver Colorado (D.C.) Jarvis, is accused of pouring rubbing alcohol on Brewer; and Jesus Mendez, 16, is accused of lighting the fire, injuring himself in the process.

All three have been charged as adults. If convicted as charged, they face a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Brewer suffered second- and third-degree burns over two-thirds of his body. He is in guarded condition at the Jackson Memorial Hospital Burn Center in Miami.

The hospital released a photo taken Monday night in Brewer's hospital room. It shows Brewer lying back in a recliner, a blanket covering most of his body. Hospital officials offered to wait until Tuesday to snap the picture, but Brewer insisted on getting it over with Monday evening, said hospital spokeswoman Lorraine Nelson.

Brewer gave his account of the incident to investigators Monday.

Making a statement about his former friend was something Jeremy Jarvis has wanted to do since the attack, Melnick said. Jarvis also had kind words for his brother.

"I want to tell my brother, D.C., that I love and miss him," Jarvis said. "I just hope and pray we all get through this."

Except for joint appearances in court, the brothers have been kept apart since Oct. 12.

In addition to his lawyer, Jarvis was accompanied Tuesday by his older sister Elyse, 17, and his mother, Sherry.

In Melnick's office, Jarvis said he is not the monster that many might presume he is because of the attack. He described himself as a normal teenager who enjoys funny movies and sports and still dreams of serving in the Air Force.

He also said he has no intention of doing anything that would land him in juvenile detention again. "It's not a place I ever want to go back to," he said. "It is jail. It's always cold."

Because he was in protective custody for a month after the attack on Brewer, Jarvis was not allowed to interact with anyone but guards, Melnick and relatives who spent 45 minutes with him Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, the teens found the rubbing alcohol just before the attack at the Limetree Village apartment complex. Bent allegedly directed the others to pour it on Brewer in retaliation for Brewer's call to 911 the day before, accusing him of trying to steal a bicycle belonging to Brewer's father.

The conflict between Brewer and Bent started over $40 that Brewer owed Bent for a video game, investigators said.

Brewer's family declined to talk about Jarvis' comments.

Rafael Olmeda may be reached at rolmeda@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4694.